It’s Good to be a Pastor December 14, 2006

this week, a woman approached me about adopting a family for christmas.  her own family has begun a new tradition of adopting a needy family and purchasing gifts for them instead of themselves.  she has been getting involved with us over the past few weeks and wanted me to choose a family for her.  she said that they have about $500-$600 dollars to spend.  what an honor and responsibility that was for me.

we literally full of needy families in our church.  everyone that comes to all God’s children would benefit greatly from this.  very few have the ability to purchase any kind of gifts on their own.  i basically left it open to where God led.  i told the woman that she could come to worship and we will choose then.  during worship, a man who has been very involved with agc along with his family got up to testify, something that was not planned.  he said that things have been getting worse for his family. he described several situations that were bringing his family down.  he closed by saying how faithful he was in God and how thankful he was for what he had.  also during worship, his daughter got up to read a scripture.  he and his wife have five children and struggle everyday.  they often live without heat or lights, but they stick together with themselves and God to get through it.

needless to say, the decision was made clear.  this was the family that we would choose.  i went and spoke with them to see if it would be ok with them and they literally exploded with joy.  that one moment makes it worth all the other junk that goes on in this ministry.  to know that we were able to connect people with resources together with people who do not have resources goes a long way in helping us see what the church is for.  we find ways to work together and help one another through love.

it’s good to just be able to see this happen.  to watch God work in the midst of darkness, shining light for all to see makes me explode with joy.  our job is to keep connecting and keep watching God transform this world, one family at a time.